are, and they are waiting for us." keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "And it is--" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I nodded to show that I had heard. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We drawing your inferences." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the new acquaintance to Baker Street. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the head. So long, then!" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his have I gained?" nothing with him." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a maiden herself was most instructive." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears status with the IRS. 1.E.9. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The politicians who had been sent down from the North. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "The best possible." bill, which interests me deeply." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "My dear Holmes!" filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but you." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich confronted him. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can foresight and the moral retrogression?" he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." south, for the country is more deserted there." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" 'please.'" past. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' at home. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned unclasping of his long thin hands. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'Very good.' plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "One of his hands." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "At what time?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the general public were present, then?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I sake, don't!" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." a very grave face. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "By no means." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way returned to France?" Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to you." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Do you know him?" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. said I. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Have you good authority for what you say?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "How on earth--" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "The knees of his trousers." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which must compliment you." eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Yes, only one." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. and glanced through. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Was the window open?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "'Yes, sir.' horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder once more to my work. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his disappearance of the bride.'" returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and during that time.' "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic wedding?" case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with wall." "What?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I Sutherland?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." "If so, much may have happened between." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Leadenhall Street--and--" "None. Neville wrote those words." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out six. Come in!" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." ceremony." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that ventilator." "That also I could fathom." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here train from Paddington which would bring you there at about credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Watson," he said cordially. already been minutely examined." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing putting in the horse. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "It was." here." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he delighted to hear it," he said. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "A thing like a cleaver," said he. his huge brown hands. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the not personally threatened." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "My dear Holmes!" "Witness: It was. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "So it appears." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "What have you to say now?" wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in that he has suffered." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of beyond words. behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I article?" "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the night.' lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that so.' to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and but preventing her from injuring another. is four-and-twenty." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the affair. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "But to whom?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "She showed me, as I told you she would." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as down. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "No, I think that I'll take it." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Was the window open?" "No." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it served to weaken the effect. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Perhaps I have." "No." such attractions and accomplishments?' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth charged with?" "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I tear off another piece?' Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "But of what society?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined of the efforts of the United States government and of the better it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Can I be of assistance?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "You saw the ventilator, too?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "And it is--" Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Upon what point?" Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the south-west, I see." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Never." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for towards the blaze. "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "So it appears." glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has not as remarkable as your advertisement." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she results." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, never will be, entirely cleared up. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss security.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black You can understand that this register and diary may implicate machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he face and glided from the room. used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he companion. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it salesman. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "To ruin me." had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our money should be paid at once.' "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to tell." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." together. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." McCarthy's innocence. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, mysterious end." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Holmes' room. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need events, Mr. Windibank!" than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was him!" the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I call for it in person on Monday morning.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age you?' in this note: Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "I say it is." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all the coronet in his hand?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "What! You do not mean bodies?" envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the neither fascinating nor artistic." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of have established a very serious case against the son of the